Practice FSA Exam Part One

Practice FSA Exam Part One

Informational Texts

Open Ended

When you picture yourself senior year, would you rather have an easy schedule or one that is centered around passing the FSA? Explain.

Open Ended

What do you think is easier to pass? Even if you have to guess! The FSA, SAT, or ACT? Why?

Why this is important

As you know, I am not one to stress the importance of tests. However, I will stress the importance of your happiness. I know personally that seniors do not enjoy being concerned about a test. If you pass this year, the rest of high school can be focused on classes you want to take.

If you are not a good test taker, don't freak out. You can pursue SAT/ACT if you are unable to pass the FSA by the end of senior year.

Standards Overview

During this lesson, we will be practicing all informational standards.

As you know, during the PMAs, you will have a "section 1" and "section 2"--one for non-fiction and one for fictional texts. The same applies on the FSA.

We got this.

Multiple Select

Select our objectives for today

• Read and analyze an Informational (aka non-fictional) text

• Accurately respond to questions regarding the text

• Review all Florida State Assessment standards for informational texts

My Advice + Hostile Cat

If you want my advice, here it is:

You get plenty of time on the FSA. You should absolutely read the passages and not be concerned about time like you may be on the SAT or ACT.

Use a sheet of paper to keep yourself engaged, focused, and to take notes.

Structural Analysis

As you read, notice the following structural elements within the passage:

1. This is passage 1, author is Ralph Emerson. He usually writes about nature.

2. It is an excerpt or a small portion of the text "The American Scholar" --see title

3. Audience was at Cambridge University in 1837

4. I can tell this is non-fiction.

Multiple Choice

How does paragraph 2 affect the meaning of Passage 1?

• It reveals that the knowledge gained from books influences the past.

• It emphasizes the process in which knowledge is obtained and shared.

• It reveals the idea that knowledge must be pure in order to be valuable.

• It emphasizes the idea that writing poetry is more important than conducting business.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence from Passage 1 supports the author’s position that the process of writing is “of transmuting life into truth”?

• “The next great influence into the spirit of the scholar is, the mind of the Past…in whatever form, whether of literature or art, of institutions, that mind is inscribed.” (Paragraph 1)

• “The scholar of the first age received into him the world around; brooded thereon; gave it the new arrangement of his own mind, and uttered it again.” (Paragraph 2)

• “Precisely in proportion to the depth of mind from it issued, so high does it soar, so long does it sing.” (Paragraph 2)

• “Each age, it is found, must write its own books; or rather, each generation for the next succeeding.” (Paragraph 3)

Multiple Select

Select two sentences from Passage 1 that help develop the claim that knowledge is acquired through significant and timeless literature.

• “The next great influence into the spirit of the scholar, is, the mind of the Past . . . in whatever form, whether of literature, of art, of institutions, that mind is inscribed.” (paragraph 1)

• “It came to him, short-lived actions; it went out from him, immortal thoughts.” (paragraph 2)

• “Precisely in proportion to the depth of mind from which it issued, so high does it soar, so long does it sing.” (paragraph 2)

• “Or, I might say, it depends on how far the process had gone, of transmuting ¹ life into truth.” (paragraph 3)

• “As no air-pump can by any means make a perfect vacuum, so neither can any artist entirely exclude the conventional, the local, the perishable from his book…” (paragraph 3)

Answer Key

•  Select two sentences from Passage 1 that help develop the claim that knowledge is acquired through significant and timeless literature.

• A AND C

• A. “The next great influence into the spirit of the scholar, is, the mind of the Past . . . in whatever form, whether of literature, of art, of institutions, that mind is inscribed.” (paragraph 1)

• C.  “Precisely in proportion to the depth of mind from which it issued, so high does it soar, so long does it sing.” (paragraph 2)

Answer Key

 Which sentence from Passage 1 supports the author’s position that the process of writing is “of transmuting life into truth”?

B. “The scholar of the first age received into him the world around; brooded thereon; gave it the new arrangement of his own mind, and uttered it again.” (Paragraph 2)

Preview of Passage 2

I notice the title is also an excerpt, or portion of a text. The title is "Reminiscences of Ralph Waldo Emerson"

(Emerson was the author of Passage 1.)

The author of passage 2 is Louisa Alcott. That sounds familiar.

It's probably Emerson in the photograph. The text probably references his ideas,

Multiple Choice

Which inference is supported by evidence in Passage 2?

• A. Emerson's style of writing is easy to understand.

• B. Emerson's works no longer have relevance in today's world

• C. Emerson's teachings and writings contain universal messages.

• D. Emerson's love of nature does not translate to the modern world.

Turn and Talk (3 minutes on the timer)

Answer Key. How did you do?

Multiple Choice

Read this excerpt from Passage 2.

. . . I used to venture into Mr. Emerson’s library and ask what I should read, never conscious of the audacity of my demand, so genial was my welcome. (Paragraph 3)

As used in this excerpt, the word audacity most closely means

• A. vulgarity

• B. assertiveness

• C. awkwardness

• D. Compulsiveness

B. Assertiveness is CORRECT! Good job!

 Read this excerpt from Passage 2.

 . . . I used to venture into Mr. Emerson’s library and ask what I should read, never conscious of the audacity of my demand, so genial was my welcome. (Paragraph 3)

 As used in this excerpt, the word audacity most closely means

Multiple Choice

Read this excerpt from Passage 2.

4 His kind hand opened to me the riches of Shakespeare, Dante, Goethe, and Carlyle, and I gratefully recall the sweet patience with which he led me round the book-lined room, till “the new and very interesting book” was found; or the indulgent smile he wore when I proposed something far above my comprehension.

How does the word “indulgent” impact the meaning of Passage 2?

• A. It conveys the insincere attitude towards Alcott’s education.

• B. It emphasizes Emerson’s humorous interactions with Alcott.

• C. It conveys the tolerant attitude towards Alcott's desire for knowledge.

• D. It emphasizes Emerson’s sarcastic tone when talking to Alcott about literature.

Correct Answer is C. It conveys the tolerant attitude towards Alcott's desire for knowledge.

 His kind hand opened to me the riches of Shakespeare, Dante, Goethe, and Carlyle, and I gratefully recall the sweet patience with which he led me round the book-lined room, till “the new and very interesting book” was found; or the indulgent smile he wore when I proposed something far above my comprehension.

 How does the word “indulgent” impact the meaning of Passage 2?

Multiple Select

Select the paragraph from Passage 2 that refines the idea that scholars and seekers of knowledge both benefit from their relationship with one another.

• A. Paragraph 1

• B: Paragraph 3

• C: Paragraph 6

• D: Paragraph 8

 Select the paragraph from Passage 2 that refines the idea that scholars and seekers of knowledge both benefit from their relationship with one another.  (Correct answer is D)

Analyze for Structural Elements

Passage 3 Structure

I notice this passage is a map, instead of an excerpt.

It focuses on locations.

Title = "Walden Pond" time is 1846

Walden reminds me of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Also, Walden was mentioned in Passage 2.

Predictions?

One thing is FOR SURE

They are going to want me to look for similarities and differences found between the other passages and this picture.

Aka, what is present in this picture that is also in Passage 1? Passage 2? Any similar themes/ideas? What about differences?

Multiple Select

Select two sentences from Passage 2 that emphasize the beauty of Walden, yet are absent in Passage 3.

• A. “…we recognized old friends, and thanked him for the delicate truth and beauty which made them immortal for us and others.” (paragraph 2)

• B. “Often piling us into a bedecked ¹ hay-cart, he took us to berry, bathe, ² or picnic at Walden, making our day charming and memorable by showing us the places he loved…” (paragraph 2)

• C. “His kind hand opened to me the riches of Shakespeare, Dante, Goethe, and Carlyle, and I gratefully recall the sweet patience with which he led me round the book-lined room…” (paragraph 4)

• D. “For many of these wise books I am waiting still, very patiently, because in his own I have found the truest delight, the best inspiration of my life. . .” (paragraph 6)

• E. “Many a thoughtful young man and woman owe to Emerson the spark that kindled their highest aspirations, and showed them how to make the conduct of life a helpful lesson, not a blind struggle.” (paragraph 8)

Correct Answers: A and B!  Select two sentences from Passage 2 that emphasize the beauty of Walden, yet are absent in Passage 3.

A. “…we recognized old friends, and thanked him for the delicate truth and beauty which made them immortal for us and others.” (paragraph 2)

 

B. “Often piling us into a bedecked ¹ hay-cart, he took us to berry, bathe, ² or picnic at Walden, making our day charming and memorable by showing us the places he loved…” (paragraph 2)

Multiple Select

Select two sentences from Passage 1 that share similarities with the personal values discussed in Passage 2.

• A. “Books are the best type of the influence of the past, and perhaps we shall get at the truth . . .” (paragraph 1)

• B. “Precisely in proportion to the depth of mind from which it issued, so high does it soar, so long does it sing.” (paragraph 2)

• C. “It came to him, business; it went from him, poetry.” (paragraph 2)

• D. “Each age, it is found, must write its own books; or rather, each generation for the next succeeding.” (paragraph 3)

• E. “Or, I might say, it depends on how far the process had gone, of transmuting ¹ life into truth.” (paragraph 3)

 Select two sentences from Passage 1 that share similarities with the personal values discussed in Passage 2.

Answers: A, D

A. “Books are the best type of the influence of the past, and perhaps we shall get at the truth . . .” (paragraph 1)

 

D. “Each age, it is found, must write its own books; or rather, each generation for the next succeeding.” (paragraph 3)

Turn and talk. 2 minutes on the timer.

 Passage 2 and Passage 3 both emphasize Walden Pond. Select which details match each passage. 

Multiple Choice

1.This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.

Part A

Which argument do both authors make in Passage 1 and Passage 2?

• A. Older books are irrelevant to future learning.

• B. Books no longer influence future generations.

• C. Scholars influence others through the books that they write.

• D. The short length of some poetry no longer inspires scholars.

 Part A

Which argument do both authors make in Passage 1 and Passage 2?

C! Scholars influence others through the books that they write.

Multiple Select

1.Part B

Select two sentences from Passage 1 and Passage 2 that support your answer to Part A

• A. "The theory of books is noble." (Passage 1, Paragraph 2)

• B. "Each age, it is found, must write its own books; or rather, each generation for the next succeeding." (Passage 1, Paragraph 3)

• C. "In proportion to the completeness of the distillation, so will the purity and imperishableness of the product be." (Passage 1, Paragraph 3)

• D. “His kind hand opened to me the riches of Shakespeare, Dante, Goethe, and Carlyle, and I gratefully recall the sweet patience with which he led me round the book-lined room…” (Passage 2, Paragraph 4)

• E. “Acquaintance with such a man is an education in itself, for “the essence of greatness is the perception that virtue is enough,” and living what he wrote, his influence purified and brightened like sunshine.” (Passage 2, Paragraph 7)

Answer Key! Part B: Select two sentences from Passage 1 and Passage 2 that support your answer to Part A.

B. "Each age, it is found, must write its own books; or rather, each generation for the next succeeding." (Passage 1, Paragraph 3)

 

 

E. “Acquaintance with such a man is an education in itself, for “the essence of greatness is the perception that virtue is enough,” and living what he wrote, his influence purified and brightened like sunshine.” (Passage 2, Paragraph 7)

End the test. Upload a screenshot of completion and score into Focus underneath "Practice FSA Non-Fiction"

Multiple Choice

Which sentence from Passage 1 supports the author’s position that the process of writing is “of transmuting life into truth”?

• “The next great influence into the spirit of the scholar is, the mind of the Past…in whatever form, whether of literature or art, of institutions, that mind is inscribed.” (Paragraph 1)

• “The scholar of the first age received into him the world around; brooded thereon; gave it the new arrangement of his own mind, and uttered it again.” (Paragraph 2)

• “Precisely in proportion to the depth of mind from it issued, so high does it soar, so long does it sing.” (Paragraph 2)

• “Each age, it is found, must write its own books; or rather, each generation for the next succeeding.” (Paragraph 3)